INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR INNOVATIVE RESEARCH IN MULTIDISCIPLINARY FIELD

Kautilya gives a beautiful description of the state system. Kautilya envisioned the state as a collection of seven parts and compared to the human body. As the living body is a collection of different organs, according to Kautilya the state is also a collection of seven elements. As the living body becomes active and strong through the healthy existence of the organs of the living body and the simple relationship between them,  the state also becomes strong through the interrelationship and companionship and healthy existence of the seven elements of the state. The seven elements of state are Swami, representing the king; Amatya, symbolising the ministers; janapada, denoting the territory and population; durga, representing the fort; Kosha, representing the treasury; Danda, symbolising the army, and Mitra, representing the allies. The King heads the list of seven elements of the state. There is no doubt that the saptanga theory as given by Kautilya was almost universally accepted as the standard definition to know the nature of  ancient India. Kautilya identifies the state as a well-functioning administrative organization based on seven elements. The state he describes is a medium-sized, interconnected, public-interest-conscious and disciplined administrative organization. He characterized his described state as a secular, welfare state and responsible monarchical state. His speech on state affairs is equally significant in today's democratic era. This paper presents the overall form of the saptanga theory of state and its relevance in the present time.